Earth Wise: Progress but no triumph on acid rain

11:26 PM,
Feb. 23, 2013

Written by

Lori Quillen

Though not in the news as much as it once was, acid rain remains a problem. Most of our energy needs are derived from burning fossil fuels, such as coal and gasoline. Power plants, factories and vehicles give off sulfur and nitrogen oxide emissions, which react in the atmosphere to form sulfuric and nitric acids. These acids are then deposited back onto the landscape in rain, snow, fog or particles.

Airborne pollutants can travel several hundred miles from their sources, contaminating lakes, forests and other natural areas.